An Extensive Finite-Difference Time-Domain Formalism for Second-Order Nonlinearities Based on the Faust-Henry Dispersion Model: Application to Terahertz Generation

Abstract

A nonlinear finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) formalism is developed to model dispersive second-order nonlinear effects in photonic arrangements and optical devices. The dispersion of the second-order nonlinear susceptibility, χ(2), is based on the Faust-Henry model, which makes no implicit assumption on the relationship between the linear and nonlinear dispersion. Unlike other models for χ(2) dispersion, the Faust-Henry model accurately describes a broad range of crystal classes, including the $$ \overline{4}3m $$ crystal class, which is essential to generating radiation in the terahertz frequency regime. As such, the developed formalism based on the Faust-Henry dispersion model overcomes limitations imposed by previous FDTD methods for modelling second-order nonlinear effects.